Package with dispensing opening

ABSTRACT

Packages, and more particularly packages having a dispensing opening through which articles, such as sanitary tissue products, may be dispensed are provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packages, and more particularly topackages comprising a dispensing opening through which articles, such assanitary tissue products, may be dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packages with dispensing openings are known in the art. However, suchpackages suffer from negatives associated with the shape and/ororientation of the dispensing openings in the packages. For example,some packages comprise a circle shaped dispensing opening and otherscomprise an elliptical shaped opening wherein its major dimension formsan angle with a major dimension of the package that is less than 10° orin other words is substantially parallel to the major dimension of thepackage. Such packages tend to create issues with dispensing of articlesthrough the openings. Such issues include a number of chaining eventswhere more than one article is dispensed at a time, which is a consumernegative.

Accordingly, there is a need for a package comprising a dispensingopening that overcomes the negatives associated packages known in theart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need described above by providing apackage comprising a dispensing opening wherein the negatives associatedwith known packages with dispensing openings, especially packagescomprising sanitary tissue products, are overcome.

In one example of the present invention, a package comprising adispensing opening, wherein the package comprises a major dimension anda minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening comprises a majordimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing opening isoriented in the package such that an angle of greater than 50° is formedby the major dimension of the dispensing opening and the major dimensionof the package, is provided.

In another example of the present invention, a package comprising atleast one sanitary tissue product, the sanitary tissue productcomprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, the package furthercomprising a dispensing opening through which the sanitary tissueproduct may be dispensed by a user, the dispensing opening comprising amajor dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the sanitary tissueproduct is oriented within the package such that an angle of greaterthan 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensing opening andthe major dimension of the sanitary tissue product, is provided.

In yet another example of the present invention, a package comprising astack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as 10 or greaterand/or 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater sanitarytissue products, and a dispensing opening, wherein the package comprisesa major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the dispensing openingcomprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein thedispensing opening is oriented in the package such that an angle ofgreater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensingopening and the major dimension of the package, is provided.

In still another example of the present invention, a package comprisinga stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as 10 or greaterand/or 20 or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater sanitarytissue products, and a dispensing opening, is provided.

In even still another example of the present invention, a packagecomprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products, such as 20or greater and/or 30 or greater and/or 40 or greater, wherein thepackage exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 2 and/or lessthan 1 per 20 and/or per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured by theDispensing Chaining Event Test Method described herein, is provided.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a package comprising adispensing opening that overcomes negatives associated with knownpackages, for example known packages suitable for dispensing articles,such as sanitary tissue products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package according to the presentinvention showing a sanitary tissue product partially dispensed from thepackage;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of a package according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a package according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sanitary tissue product in a foldedstate; and

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a package according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises oneor more fibrous elements. In one example, a fibrous structure accordingto the present invention means an association of fibrous elements thattogether form a structure, such as a unitary structure, capable ofperforming a function. Non-limiting examples of fibrous structures ofthe present invention include paper, fabrics (including woven, knitted,and non-woven), and absorbent pads (for example for diapers or femininehygiene products).

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be homogeneous ormay be layered. If layered, the fibrous structures may comprise at leasttwo and/or at least three and/or at least four and/or at least fivelayers.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be co-formed fibrousstructures.

In one example, the fibrous structures of the present invention aredisposable. For example, the fibrous structures of the present inventionare non-textile fibrous structures.

Non-limiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures includeknown wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes.Such processes typically include the steps of preparing a fibrouselement composition, such as a fiber composition, in the form of asuspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically an aqueous medium,i.e., water, or dry, more specifically a gaseous medium, i.e. air. Thesuspension of fibers within an aqueous medium is oftentimes referred toas a fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit aplurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonicfibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding thefibers together results in the association of the fibers into a fibrousstructure. Further processing the fibrous structure may be carried outsuch that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, intypical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is thefibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking.The finished fibrous structure may subsequently be converted into afinished product, e.g. a sanitary tissue product.

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means a fibrous structureuseful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movementcleaning (toilet tissue), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (facialtissue), wipes and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses(absorbent towels). The sanitary tissue product may be convolutedlywound upon itself about a core or without a core to form a sanitarytissue product roll. The sanitary tissue products of the presentinvention may be in the form of sanitary tissue product rolls. Suchsanitary tissue product rolls may comprise a plurality of connected, butperforated sheets of fibrous structure, that are separably dispensablefrom adjacent sheets.

In one example, the sanitary tissue product may comprise a stack ofindividual sanitary tissue products.

In one example, the sanitary tissue product of the present inventioncomprises one or more fibrous structures according to the presentinvention.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may comprisesadditives such as softening agents, temporary wet strength agents,permanent wet strength agents, bulk softening agents, lotions,silicones, wetting agents, latexes, patterned latexes and other types ofadditives suitable for inclusion in and/or on sanitary tissue products.

“Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unit area of a samplereported in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m².

“Ply” or “Plies” as used herein means an individual fibrous structureoptionally to be disposed in a substantially contiguous, face-to-facerelationship with other plies, forming a multiple ply fibrous structure.It is also contemplated that a single fibrous structure can effectivelyform two “plies” or multiple “plies”, for example, by being folded onitself.

“Major dimension” as used herein means the maximum distance between oneedge of an object, such as the dispensing opening and/or the package,and another edge of the object. With respect to a sanitary tissueproduct, the major dimension means the maximum distance between one edgeof a unit of the sanitary tissue product to another edge of the unit ofthe sanitary tissue product. In other words, if the sanitary tissueproduct is in a folded state to form a unit, then the major dimension isdetermined by measuring the footprint of the sanitary tissue product inits folded state not in its unfolded state.

“Minor dimension” as used herein means the distance between one edge ofan object, such as the dispensing opening and/or the package, andanother edge of the object as measured perpendicular to the majordimension. With respect to a sanitary tissue product in a folded state,the minor dimension means the distance between one edge of the sanitarytissue product in its folded state to another edge of the of thesanitary tissue product in its folded state as measured perpendicular tothe major dimension.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used herein, for example,“an anionic surfactant” or “a fiber” is understood to mean one or moreof the material that is claimed or described.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwiseindicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the totalcomposition unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are inreference to the active level of that component or composition, and areexclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products,which may be present in commercially available sources.

Package

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a package 10 of the present invention comprises adispensing opening 12 through which one or more sanitary tissue products14 may be dispensed by a user. The package 10 comprises at least onesanitary tissue product 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dispensing opening 12 comprises a majordimension D1 and a minor dimension D2. The major dimension D1 is greaterin value than the minor dimension D2. In one example, the majordimension D1 is greater than 40 mm and/or greater than 50 mm and/orgreater than 55 mm to about 100 mm and/or to about 90 mm and/or to about70 mm and/or to about 65 mm. The minor dimension D2 may be greater than10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or greater than 20 mm to about 80 mmand/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 6, the package 10 comprises a major dimension D3 and aminor dimension D4. The major dimension D3 is greater in value than theminor dimension D4. In one example, the major dimension D3 is greaterthan 60 mm and/or greater than 90 mm and/or greater than 120 mm to about300 mm and/or to about 280 mm and/or to about 200 mm and/or to about 150mm. The minor dimension D4 may be greater than 10 mm and/or greater than15 mm and/or greater than 20 mm to about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mmand/or to about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 7, in one example, the dispensing opening 12 isoriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of thedispensing opening 12 forms an angle α that is greater than 50° and/orgreater than 65° and/or greater than 75° and/or greater than 85° withthe major dimension D3 of the package 10. In one example, the dispensingopening 12 is oriented in the package 10 such that the major dimensionD1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an angle that is about 90° withthe major dimension D3 of the package 10.

In one example, the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 isless than or equal to the minor dimension D4 of the package 10.

In one example of the present invention, the minor dimension D2 of thedispensing opening 12 is less than or equal to the major dimension D3 ofthe package 10.

The package 10 may comprise a plurality of sanitary tissue products 14.The sanitary tissue products 14 may comprise a stack 16 of interleavedsanitary tissue products 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the package 10 may further comprise a closure 18capable of closing the dispensing opening 12. The closure 18 may be aresealable closure. The closure 18 is intended to inhibit dispensing ofsanitary tissue products 14 when the dispensing opening 12 is closedwith the closure 18.

The package 10 may comprise any suitable material known those skilled inthe art. Non-limiting examples include paper, plastic,polypropylene/polyethylene films and mixtures thereof.

The dispensing opening 12 may be made by any suitable process such asdie cutting.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sanitary tissue product 14 exhibits a majordimension D5 and a minor dimension D6. The major dimension D5 of thesanitary tissue product 14 is greater in value than the minor dimensionD6 of the sanitary tissue product 14. In one example, the majordimension D5 is greater than 60 mm and/or greater than 90 mm and/orgreater than 120 mm to about 300 mm and/or to about 280 mm and/or toabout 200 mm and/or to about 150 mm. The minor dimension D6 may begreater than 10 mm and/or greater than 15 mm and/or greater than 20 mmto about 80 mm and/or to about 70 mm and/or to about 50 mm.

As shown in FIG. 9, in one example, the dispensing opening 12 isoriented in the package 10 such that the major dimension D1 of thedispensing opening 12 forms an angle β that is greater than 50° and/orgreater than 65° and/or greater than 75° and/or greater than 85° withthe major dimension D5 of the sanitary tissue product 14. In oneexample, the dispensing opening 12 is oriented in the package 10 suchthat the major dimension D1 of the dispensing opening 12 forms an anglethat is about 90° with the major dimension D5 of the sanitary tissueproduct 14.

The dispensing opening 12 is present in a surface 20 of the package 10.

In one example, a package according to the present invention comprisinga stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products exhibits a DispensingChaining Event of less than 6 and/or less than 5 and/or less than 4and/or less than 3 and/or less than 2 and/or less than 1 per 40 sanitarytissue products as measured according to the Dispensing Chaining EventTest Method described herein.

In another example, a package according to the present inventioncomprising a stack of interleaved sanitary tissue products exhibits aDispensing Chaining Event of less than 4 and/or less than 3 and/or lessthan 2 and/or less than 1 per 20 sanitary tissue products as measuredaccording to the Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method described herein.

Sanitary Tissue Products

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be wipes.Commonly known consumer wipes, such as dry or pre-moistened wipes may bedisposable and/or dispersible and/or flushable.

The sanitary tissue products may comprise man-made fibers, naturalfibers and combinations thereof, and may or may not be biodegradable.Non-limiting examples of man-made fibers include: rayon, which in turnincludes but is not limited to viscose, lyocell and mixtures thereof;polyhydroxyalkanoates; polylactic acid; polyester; and mixtures thereof.Non-limiting examples of natural fibers include: pulp, cotton, wool,silk, jute, linen, ramie, hemp, flax, camel hair, kenaf, and mixturesthereof. Non-thermoplastic fibers that are of use in the presentinvention are selected from the group consisting of: rayon, which inturn includes but is not limited to viscose, lyocell and mixturesthereof; pulp; cotton; wool; silk; jute; linen; ramie; hemp; flax; camelhair; kenaf; and mixtures thereof.

In one example, the sanitary tissue products may comprise from about 20%to about 80% rayon fibers and from about 80% to about 20% of pulpfibers. In another embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise from about30% to about 70% rayon fibers and from about 70% to about 30% pulpfibers. In another embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise from about40% to about 60% rayon fibers and from about 60% to about 40% pulpfibers. In yet another embodiment, the nonwoven webs may comprise about60% rayon fibers and about 40% pulp fibers.

The sanitary tissue products may have basis weights ranging from about 5to about 200 grams per square meter (gsm), from about 10 to about 175gsm, from about 30 to about 150 gsm, from about 20 to about 100 gsm,from about 30 to about 70 gsm, or even from about 40 to about 60 gsm.

The sanitary tissue products, especially wipes, may be adapted for avariety of uses and may be pre-moistened or moistened with a liquidcomposition. The liquid composition may comprise an aqueous solution andmay further comprise surfactant, co-surfactant, foam building agent,emulsifier, non-cellulosic water soluble organic polymer and mixturesthereof.

The sanitary tissue products may be wet wipes.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be suitablefor use in cleaning babies, and may also find use in cleaning tasksrelated to persons of all ages. Such wipes may also include articlesused for application of substances to the body, including but notlimited to application of make-up, skin conditioners, ointments,medications and mixtures thereof. Such wipes may also include articlesused for the cleaning or grooming of pets, and articles used for thegeneral cleansing of surfaces and objects, such as household kitchen andbathroom surfaces, eyeglasses, exercise and athletic equipment,automotive surfaces and the like. Such sanitary tissue products may alsobe used in the hospital or clinical environment to clean up bodilyfluids and the like.

The sanitary tissue products may be folded and stacked in a commoncontainer such as a tub. The sanitary tissue products of the presentinvention may be folded in any of various known folding patterns, suchas C-folding and Z-folding. Use of a Z-fold pattern may enable a foldedstack of sanitary tissue products to be interleaved with overlappingportions.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may furthercomprise a surface comprising a design, such as a surface pattern and/orprints, which may provide aesthetic appeal. Non-limiting examples ofprints include figures, patterns, letters, pictures and combinationsthereof. Further, the sanitary tissue products may comprise embosspatterns and/or texture.

The sanitary tissue products may be put into the common containers asloose sanitary tissue products or as packaged sanitary tissue products,such as packaged in a film wrap package.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein including thosedescribed under the Definitions section and the following test methodsare conducted on samples that have been conditioned in a conditionedroom at a temperature of 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2° C.) and arelative humidity of 50%±10% for 2 hours prior to the test. All plasticand paper board packaging materials must be carefully removed from thepaper samples prior to testing. Discard any damaged product. All testsare conducted in such conditioned room.

Basis Weight Test Method

Basis weight of a fibrous structure sample is measured by selectingtwelve (12) usable units (also referred to as sheets) of the fibrousstructure and making two stacks of six (6) usable units each.Perforation must be aligned on the same side when stacking the usableunits. A precision cutter is used to cut each stack into exactly 8.89cm×8.89 cm (3.5 in.×3.5 in.) squares. The two stacks of cut squares arecombined to make a basis weight pad of twelve (12) squares thick. Thebasis weight pad is then weighed on a top loading balance with a minimumresolution of 0.01 g. The top loading balance must be protected from airdrafts and other disturbances using a draft shield. Weights are recordedwhen the readings on the top loading balance become constant. The BasisWeight is calculated as follows:

${{Basis}\mspace{14mu} {Weight}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{lbs}\text{/}3000\mspace{14mu} {ft}^{2}} \right)} = \frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}\mspace{14mu} (g) \times 3000\mspace{14mu} {ft}^{2}}{\begin{matrix}{453.6\mspace{14mu} g\text{/}{lbs} \times 12\mspace{14mu} \left( {{usable}\mspace{14mu} {units}} \right) \times} \\\left\lbrack {12.25\mspace{14mu} {{in}^{2}\left( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}} \right)}\text{/}144\mspace{14mu} {in}^{2}} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}}$${{Basis}\mspace{14mu} {Weight}\mspace{14mu} \left( {g\text{/}m^{2}} \right)} = \frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}\mspace{14mu} (g) \times 10,000\mspace{14mu} {cm}^{2}\text{/}m^{2}}{\begin{matrix}{79.0321\mspace{14mu} {cm}^{2}\mspace{14mu} \left( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}} \right) \times} \\{2\mspace{14mu} \left( {{usable}\mspace{14mu} {units}} \right)}\end{matrix}}$

Dispensing Chaining Event Test Method

The dispensing chaining events of a package of 20 or more interleavedsanitary tissue products is measured as follows.

Open the dispensing opening in the package of interleaved sanitarytissue products. The package may be a tub and/or a film wrap about thesanitary tissue products. If the package is a refill package of sanitarytissue products and the package does not have a dispensing opening, thenopen the package and place in its associated tub. If the refill packagedoes have a dispensing opening, then open the dispensing opening in therefill package, place in its associated tub and open the dispensingopening of the tub such that access to the sanitary tissue productsthrough the tub's dispensing opening and the refill package's dispensingopening is provided.

If the package is not a refill package, then open the dispensing openingof the package and proceed with the test procedure set forth below.

Take the top wing of the first sanitary tissue product and thread itthrough the dispensing opening(s).

Place the package onto a clean, flat surface such that a test operatorcan dispense the sanitary tissue product without reaching across thebody to pull the sanitary tissue products from the package.

Pull the sanitary tissue products out of the package with one hand in aperpendicular direction to the dispensing opening. Pull with a slow,continuous motion, without acceleration (approximately −0.75 to 1.00m/s). Do not touch the package with the second hand during dispensingunless the package begins to lift off the flat surface.

Assess each wipe visually after being dispensed. If two or more wipesare dispensed at one time from the pulling, then it is classified as aDispensing Chaining Event.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A package comprising a dispensing opening, wherein the packagecomprises a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein thedispensing opening comprises a major dimension and a minor dimension,wherein the dispensing opening is oriented in the package such that anangle of greater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of thedispensing opening and the major dimension of the package.
 2. Thepackage according to claim 1 wherein the package further comprises aclosure capable of closing the dispensing opening.
 3. The packageaccording to claim 2 wherein the closure comprises a resealable closure.4. The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of thepackage is greater in value than the minor dimension of the package. 5.The package according to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of thepackage is greater than 60 mm.
 6. The package according to claim 1wherein the major dimension of the package is greater than 90 mm.
 7. Thepackage according to claim 1 wherein the minor dimension of the packageis greater than 10 mm.
 8. The package according to claim 1 wherein theminor dimension of the package is greater than 15 mm.
 9. The packageaccording to claim 1 wherein the major dimension of the dispensingopening is greater in value than the minor dimension of the dispensingopening.
 10. The package according to claim 1 wherein the majordimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 40 mm.
 11. Thepackage according to claim 10 wherein the major dimension of thedispensing opening is greater than 55 mm.
 12. The package according toclaim 1 wherein the minor dimension of the dispensing opening is greaterthan 10 mm.
 13. The package according to claim 12 wherein the minordimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 15 mm.
 14. A packagecomprising at least one sanitary tissue product, the sanitary tissueproduct comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, the packagefurther comprising a dispensing opening through which the sanitarytissue product may be dispensed by a user, the dispensing openingcomprising a major dimension and a minor dimension, wherein the sanitarytissue product is oriented within the package such that an angle ofgreater than 50° is formed by the major dimension of the dispensingopening and the major dimension of the sanitary tissue product.
 15. Thepackage according to claim 14 wherein the package comprises a pluralityof sanitary tissue products.
 16. The package according to claim 15wherein the plurality of sanitary tissue products comprises a stack ofinterleaved sanitary tissue products.
 17. The package according to claim14 wherein the package further comprises a closure capable of closingthe opening to inhibit dispensing of the sanitary tissue products. 18.The package according to claim 17 wherein the closure comprises aresealable closure.
 19. The package according to claim 14 wherein thesanitary tissue product comprises a wipe.
 20. The package according toclaim 14 wherein the major dimension of the dispensing opening isgreater than 40 mm.
 21. The package according to claim 14 wherein theminor dimension of the dispensing opening is greater than 10 mm.
 22. Thepackage according to claim 14 wherein the major dimension of thedispensing opening is less than or equal to the minor dimension of thesanitary tissue product.
 23. The package according to claim 14 whereinthe minor dimension of the dispensing opening is less than or equal tothe major dimension of the sanitary tissue product.
 24. A packagecomprising 20 or more interleaved sanitary tissue products, wherein thepackage exhibits a Dispensing Chaining Event of less than 2 per 20sanitary tissue products as measured by the Dispensing Chaining EventTest Method.
 25. A package comprising 40 or more interleaved sanitarytissue products, wherein the package exhibits a Dispensing ChainingEvent of less than 2 per 40 sanitary tissue products as measured by theDispensing Chaining Event Test Method.